The American Obsession with Bodily PerfectionAmerica is a growing and changing nation, but one characteristic has outlasted the years. The obsession for a socially-accepted body, whether it be wearing a corset, being big and voluptuous or, for men, being muscular and lean, has always existed. The culprit, a negative body image, now haunts approximately eight million people across the United States and is beginning to seep into more American minds as the “Perfect” disease spreads (Davis 8). In the past decade, the pressure to have “the perfect body” has dramatically increased in America; every individual in this nation has a different view of what “the perfect body” actually is, and many people who are seeking it are willing to take radical measures, like suffering from an eating disorder or turning towards cosmetic surgery to erase the imperfections of their body they believe exist. Quests for “the perfect body” in the past few years have increased in both males and females. Women are pounded with media every day telling them, “thin is in” or “thinner is better,” but in reality, achieving this “ideal” body is sometimes impossible and unhealthy to obtain (Davis 12). Ten billion dollars a year is spent by the American population to look “ideal” and lose weight (Kuberskey 19- 20). In fact, “ideal weight” has varied in America from one generation to the next. Marilyn Monroe was curvy and voluptuous in one decade and, in another, Kate Moss began the thin epidemic, but both for their time period were ideal. The information stating that thin is beautiful sparks from the media, for female celebrities are usually portrayed on the television or in magazines without flaws. What many young women do not understand about television and magazines is the art of digital body contouring. All models or celebrities have imperfections, yet in pictures or digital images the editor airbrushes over them, creating a look of perfection. Sadly, these false statements and images affect teenage girls, the main readers of these magazines and viewers of these television shows (Davis 21). Teenage years are when girls find out who they are, and up and coming teenage girls have now been taught that being slender is the only accepted bodily form (Kuberskey 15-16). According to Brangien Davis, “Advertisers in the beauty and fashion industries make it seem that if we don’t strive for the beauty ideal, we won’t be successful or happy in life” (13). In the advertiser’s minds, the only thing that matters is that beauty sells (Davis 21). Because of these pressures to look beautiful and sophisticated, a negative body image tends to affect females rather than males. Girls define themselves by their appearance, yet boys define themselves by their abilities, therefore, men wish to be lean and muscular. For this reason, men are not immune to the quest for bodily perfection; no one is (Davis 15). These quests for perfection are usually undetectable in men, for men do not speak about their obsession because they fear being embarrassed or looking feminine. Males are subconsciously influenced by muscular heroes like GI Joe, muscle and fitness magazines, or even male models (Kassar). These men with body issues believe they are not muscular or lean enough and fear gaining weight. These secretly infatuated men are beginning to show their obsessions in our everyday lives just as commonly as women show their obsessions. Men’s fascinations with the perfect body are sometimes more dangerous than women’s fascinations, for men use drugs like anabolic steroids to gain muscle and become “ideal.” They work out excessively and use Creatine to increase muscle tone and, deceivingly, look toned and healthy, although their body is suffering (Kassar). Dr. Brian Kassar believes that “In men’s perspective if you are thin, muscular and ‘virile,’ you will be personally and sexually fulfilled.”

To have “the perfect body,” weight is obviously a major concern to the...

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...Mancino
ENG 102, Section 053
April 18, 2014
Obsession of Perfection
The relentless pursuit of human perfection has always been an intrinsic trait of human nature and science has been a mean to achieve it. This statement brings us to the main idea of Hawthorne's short story "The Birth-mark." It shows the story of a scientist who is obsessed with the removal of his wife's birthmark, considering it a symbol of her human imperfection. "The Birth-mark" is possibly influenced by Hawthorne's times where science began to gain knowledge about our world and was considerably glorified, through scientific experiment, humankind can discover, know, and do just about anything. As the narrator explains, “In those days when the comparatively recent discovery of electricity and other kindred mysteries of Nature seemed to open paths into the region of miracle, […] in its depth and absorbing energy” (Hawthorne 209). The author’s story presents some critical issues about what it signifies to be human, how much science can tell us about the world, what happens when human beings attempt to subvert nature through science, and possibly more significantly, should we try to "play God" in this manner. “The Birth-mark” like other stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne provides us with moral allegories and much of the meaning is through Hawthorne’s use of symbolism that addresses the themes such as manipulation of science, humanity's flaws, and...

...The American Dream
America has long been known as a land of opportunity. Out of that thinking comes the "American Dream," the idea that anyone can ultimately achieve success, even if he or she began with nothing. In "The Death of a Salesman", Arthur Miller uses the characterization of Willy Loman to represent the failure of his ideal of the American Dream. Willy’s quest for the American Dream leads to his failure because throughout his life he pursues the illusion of the American Dream and not the reality of it. His mindset on perfection, obsession with success, and his constant reminiscence of the past and predictions of the future, all contribute to his defeat in the end.
The unachievable part of Willy’s view of the American Dream is perfection. He has a picture perfect view in his mind of how everything should be: a good job with a high paying salary, a wonderful family with smart kids and a perfect housewife, being well liked, being happy, and having no problems at all. Unfortunately, because Willy has this perception of how life should be, anything that does not fit his vision turns out into a huge ordeal. His obsession with perfection is a reason for why, in reality, he did not have a happy family. By trying to make his family fit the image of the American Dream, he actually caused their...

...Violence is a reoccurring theme, specifically amongst American society, that by instinct is something to be feared. However, it is the main attraction to people when dealing with the headlines of the day or somebody witnessing a fatal car accident. In the 1996 film Crash violence has a different role within the underground community of scarred car crash victims who can only get sexually aroused by cars, the accidents that take place within them, and the story that is told by it all. This film is an indirect representation of the American culture that is obsessed with the thrill of sporadic violence due to the lack of readily experience in this nature. The imagery used in depicting the brutal environment in the dystopia Crash, the underground community guiding the protagonist within the cast, and the special effects throughout the gruesome scenes all develop the ideal that Americans have lost their innocence and sensitivity due to the media’s portrayal of violence.
The environment within the film Crash is that of one with high tension and hostility that is depicted right from the start. James, a film director, and his wife are in an open relationship that is seen as one that is struggling due to their lack of sexual desire for each other. Once James gets into a serious car accident, he is automatically drawn into a lifestyle of thrill seeking experiences within this underground society. As James explores this way of life, it is...

...perfectionist? Do you know someone who is?
Have you ever wondered if perfectionism is a help or hindrance on the road to success?
I have experienced that perfectionism is a blessing but some time it does more harm than good that is whey we need to have some limits in perusing perfectionism in our daily life or in professional matters.
In fact there are at least seven ways that perfectionism stops you from success.
1. Perfectionism.
Have you ever had a project that you really wanted to get done, but never could quite complete it? If you look carefully at what was going on in your mindset, you probably see that you wanted the project to be completed perfectly.
We live in an imperfect world. The idea that perfection is possible is just an illusion. Your desire for perfection can stop you from taking action that is needed. In fact it can even lead to mental paralysis and stop you from listening to your intuition.
Imperfect action is better than no action.
2. You Get Caught Up in the Details.
Do not get caught up with details Instead, use your business vision. There is nothing so compelling as a vision for which you have passion. But if you’re busy with the details, and trying to get every little thing perfect so you lose sight of the bigger picture.
Delegate as many task as you can so you can focus on moving your business or project forward successfully.
3. Perfectionism doesn’t allow you to be yourself.
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...﻿As life goes on, things get more complicated. You are no longer a child, but an adult who faces reality. To you, real life is nothing like fairy tales. Problems are not being easily solved and confusions are everywhere. There is never a long period of rest and peace. You should always be aware of everything preventing you to live an easy life. Moments of sadness and misery are much more frequent than those of happiness, filling your head with indescribable madness. Life is not only black and white, but is different shades of grey. No one is really right or wrong. Every person you trust may suddenly be gone. Now you wonder if every choice you make in life is a bet. What you can only do is to trust your instincts and prepare for the worst.
Despite the dark side, life can be full of excitement and surprises. As long as it is interesting and fulfilling, this world is no longer cruel and cold. Warmth and smiles still exist. Although there can be many bad times, never give up for a moment until your last breath. As there is a saying that every cloud has a silver lining, hope is always there for us.
Strengths and weaknesses generally refer to a person's character.
Often a strength can be a weakness, and vice versa, a weakness can be a strength. In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang (e.g., dark and light) are described as complementary opposites within a greater whole.
For example, here are some strengths and weaknesses by personality type.[1][2]
Personality Type
Strength...

...wants, they’ll only want it more. This turns into an obsession and all such obsessions end badly.
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For some time I wanted him in my life, but as I started college I wanted my independence. His previous physo bitch of an ex didn’t understand the term independence. His past needy, fucked up relationship was at the opposite spectrum of ours. He clang to me the only way he knew how… as a puppy. The problem was, the sex was incredible. What a needy, cute, fuckable, puppy he was. It was so good that although I didn’t want to date him, I couldn’t let him go, either. Although I didn’t always want him, I didn’t want anyone else to have him. He was mine and I was his, but everytime I fucked up he was willing to forgive me. His compacitly for loving me was endless. In the meantime, I had managed to fall for him. And so this began my obsession...

...
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...AmericansObsession with Appearance
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